Beaded Viking knit necklace

This Viking knit necklace incorporates beads into the weave. You can experiment to create different looks: Try a steely version with multiple beaded nodules, the subtlety of an analogous pink-and-copper palette, or a high-contrast piece mixing warm and cool tones.

Viking knit is made up of a series of loops that intersect each other. There are three parts to a Viking knit weave: the loop, the cross, and the rung (figure 1). When working single-loop Viking knit, the working wire always goes behind the loop where the wire crosses in the previous row, which places the new loops below the loops in the previous row (figure 2).

If you are right-handed, you will make counterclockwise loops. If you are left-handed, you will make clockwise loops. The instructions for this project are for right-handed weaving.

Straighten the wire as much as possible between your fingers, and keep the tip of the working wire straight to get under the loops. Work with the natural curve of the wire, forming large circles that you can then pull into tighter loops.

Instructions

Photo a

Photo b

Anchor round

1. Insert the six-loop head into the shaft of the Lazee Daizee tool. Cut 4–6 ft. (1.2–1.8 m) of color A 26-gauge wire. Insert one wire end into the upper side of the anchor hole, leaving a 1-in. (25.5 mm) tail exiting from the lower side (a).

2. Press the tail against the shaft with your left middle finger, and steady the tool head with your forefinger. Guide the working wire counterclockwise down through the nearest hole in the head, crossing it over the first leg of the loop (b). Continue to form a total of six loops around the shaft.

Photo c

Round 1

3. Continue to form counterclockwise loops by bringing the working wire behind the crosses (labeled in figure 1 as “cross”) in the anchor round (c). The size of the loop should be slightly smaller than the width of one of the shaft’s flat panels and still leave room for the rung.

Round 2

4. Continue to form counterclockwise loops behind each cross in round 1. Again, you should have one loop on each panel on the shaft. Notice that the loops are beginning to form columns — one column centered on each panel.

Tip!

If the anchor tail is in the way, move the tool head slightly to one side.

Photo d

Round 3 and beyond

5. Cut the first wire loop (the loop from which the wire exits the upper end of the anchor hole) just below the tool head (d). Remove the wire tail by pulling it out the lower end of the anchor hole.

6. Continue to form loops around the shaft until you have about 1 in. (25.5 mm) of wire remaining. Keep the loops straight in each column.

Tip!

Once you’ve formed a loop, bring the working wire down the length of the shaft. Hold the most-recent loop formed in place with your thumb. This will help to keep the loops aligned in their columns. You can use a pin tool or awl to help lift and position the wire. Be careful not to scratch the wire finish.